A group of so-called ‘paedophile hunters’ caused chaos in a quiet Forfar housing estate last night after confronting a suspected pervert.
Nine police vehicles rushed to the estate after receiving calls from terrified local residents at around 7.45pm.
Around 10 members of the self-styled vigilantes Wolf Pack Hunters UK had gathered at a house after carrying out an online ‘sting’.
The group, who had driven up from Glasgow, swore and chanted for a man to come out from one of the flats.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, described the shouts and screams as “like someone was being murdered”.
The 56-year-old said: “It was quite frightening. It was like someone was being murdered in the street it was so loud.
“It really was absolutely crazy.
“They were shouting and hurling abuse. They were so aggressive.
“It was clearly an organised operation as they had big SUVs to transport everyone up from Glasgow, as well as placards and banners.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Kids who were playing in the street ran home crying they were so scared.
“The police were trying to get them to move on. They had scarves over their faces and wore the same clothes branded with the name of the group.
“It was made up of young guys, as well as middle-aged men and also women.”
The organisation describes itself as a “community response to the epidemic of grooming in the UK”.
They have carried out a number of other ‘stings, with one having taken place in West Lothian in June.
Similar groups include Dark Justice, Guardians of the North, and Silent Justice.
The neighbour added: “The group had sheets of paper, possibly with a man’s picture on it.
“They refused to leave until eventually they went down to the local police station voluntarily.
“It looks like they have targeted a flat.
“I understand the reasons but scaring people and acting like a mob and taking law into their own hands is not the answer.”
A spokesperson for the Tayside division of Police Scotland confirmed the force attended the incident.
He said: “We looked to try to get the crowd under control and ensure everyone’s safety.
“Members of the group were then taken to Forfar police station to tell us what they know.”
The group, which has almost 100,000 followers on Facebook, have been approached for a response.
Following the incident, Wolf Pack Hunters UK Improved posted a video to their Facebook page showing them being escorted out of the town by two police cars.
One of the group claimed they were met by “mobs” when they arrived at the home, and that people were “driving past shouting abuse at the team”.
He said it is the second time that “teams” have arrived at the address to attempt a sting.
He claimed: “They are wanting us out because they don’t want any more trouble.
“I think Forfar might be in line for a wee protest. I think we’ll be bringing all the teams up here.”
UPDATE:
On Thursday morning police confirmed that a 27-year-old man was arrested at the scene in Forfar following the “disturbance”.
A spokesman for the force said: “Police Scotland were called to a disturbance in Forfar (at) about 7.45pm last night (August 15).
“The full circumstances of the incident are being investigated, and inquiries are being made with local residents as to the behaviour and actions of persons present.
“A 27-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with communications offences not directly linked to the incident.”
